A 16-year-old boy named Leo Sproson from Bromsgrove urgently requires a stem cell donor to potentially save his life as he battles leukaemia. His parents, Jenna and Warren, are collaborating with the blood cancer charity DKMS to find a suitable match for Leo and others in similar situations.
Leo’s health struggles began at the age of 12 with liver disease, which later led to a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia at 16. Despite undergoing chemotherapy, Leo now needs a stem cell transplant to increase his chances of recovery.
Jenna Elwell, Leo’s mother, expressed the family’s reliance on finding a compatible donor due to Leo’s vulnerable health conditions. She highlighted the rarity of his liver disease and cancer, emphasizing Leo’s resilience and sense of humor throughout his challenging journey.
Warren, Leo’s father, described Leo as his source of joy and hope, emphasizing the importance of finding a donor to provide Leo with a chance at a fulfilling future. The family is hopeful that a matching donor will help Leo overcome his current health struggles.
DKMS spokesperson Bronagh Hughes emphasized the critical need for a suitable donor to potentially restore Leo’s health and highlighted the prevalence of blood cancers as a significant cause of cancer-related deaths.
In the UK, approximately 13,000 individuals lose their lives to blood cancer annually, with around 2,000 people in need of a stem cell transplant at any given time. An upcoming registration event on November 23 at St Godwald’s church hall in Bromsgrove aims to raise awareness and encourage potential donors to support Leo and others in need.
To support Leo and potentially save a life, individuals can order a swab kit at dkms.org.uk. It is essential for the community to come together to offer hope and support to those battling life-threatening illnesses like Leo’s.
